Dead in Vineyard Sand by Philip R. Craig

From esteemed crime novelist Philip R. Craig comes a scorching new Martha's Vineyard mystery, the latest in a series renowned not only for its beautiful setting but also for its fine appreciation of an extraordinary island's rich heritage.

It's a picture-perfect Vineyard summer, and ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson finds time for lazy afternoons at the beach with his wife, Zee, and the kids. Nothing could be better, but of course not everything is peaceful, even on this idyllic island. A teenage girl has already drowned in an early-summer tragedy. The more superficial conflict du jour centers on a group of cyclists, led by irascible environmentalist Henry Highsmith, who fervently oppose new construction, including plans for a luxurious new golf course.

J.W. is not part of the golf course battle, at least not until he and a bad-tempered Highsmith come to blows at the local fish shop. The dispute is not over fish. J.W. parked his vehicle too close to Highsmith's fancy bike, an unpardonable offense. Is there more to the J.W.-Highsmith feud than seems to be the case? Some people think so, especially when an SUV suspiciously like J.W.'s forces Highsmith's wife, Abigail, off her bicycle, sending her to the emergency room.

When J.W.'s rich businessman friend Glen Norton invites him to join a golfing foursome at Waterwoods, the island's prettiest club, he's happy to accept. At least he's certain not to run into Highsmith on the manicured greens. J.W. is not much of a golfer, but Zee hopes he'll get some exercise and stay out of trouble.

Wrong. Trouble is waiting for J.W. in the sand trap at the fourth hole -- the sand trap with the human hand protruding from below. The hand is connected to a body, and it's clearly a case of murder. With circumstantial evidence pointing to J.W., he must act fast, peeling back layers of deceit surrounding old Vineyard families in his search for a killer.

Alive with the sights, smells, and tastes of Philip R. Craig's beloved island, Dead in Vineyard Sand includes three classic recipes, featuring the decadent Lobsters, Croissants, and Champagne. Just in time for summer reading, this appealing blend of Vineyard ambiance and intrigue will thrill both beachgoers and city dwellers looking for vicarious pleasure.

The late Philip R. Craig was the author of nineteen novels in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series. A professor emeritus of English at Wheelock College in Boston, he loved the Vineyard and lived there year-round with his wife, Shirley.